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Market overview – Polyurethane: versatile applications and enormous development potential
FOCUS Transparent scratchproof coating Nanogate AG in conjunction with Gesellschaft fur Oberflachentechnik GmbH (GfO) have developed “Sicralan AP”, a transparent, scratchproof coating with antifinger-print properties for use on stainless steel surfaces and plastics. It is considered to be particularly suitable for designer surfaces in car interiors, households and buildings. The companies are focusing on highperformance surfaces for plastics and metals – a fast growing market with strong margins and an annual volume of around €800 M across Europe, and they are concentrating on the wide range of opportunities in this developing market. Press release from: Nanogate AG, Zum Schacht 3 66287 Göttelborn, Germany, website: http://www.nanogate.de (27 Oct 2010)
MARKETS Market overview – Polyurethane: versatile applications and enormous development potential Polyurethane raw materials were first used in manufacture of paints and coatings over 50 years ago. Their variety and combinations enable targeted and tailored solutions for different segments. During the last decade the proportion of polyurethane coatings raw materials rose from around 9% to 13% of global consumption. Major components of the polyurethane coatings raw materials are polyisocyanates and polyols such as polyacrylates, polyester and polyether. Before the global economic crisis, analysts predicted a global rise in the consumption of polyurethane coatings raw materials of around 5%/y. In the Asia Pacific region consumption is forecast to rise by 10%/y, and the European and American markets are predicted to grow by around 3-4%/y. The article covers the following topics: polyurethane coatings primarily for applications on wood 6
ON
POWDER
and vehicles, the polyurethane market recovers, adhesives and sealants with long durability, the achievement of ecological and economic advantages, new technologies gain in importance, tapping sources from renewable raw materials, challenges by the regulating bodies, and new applications segments for polyurethane raw materials. Figure 1 illustrates the global coatings raw material consumption by product groups (totalling 8.2 M tonnes) as follows: alkyd resins and oil-free polyester 37%; solvent-containing polyurethanes 13%; powder coating resins 8%; water-based coating resins 8%; epoxy resins 7%; acrylic resins 5%; UV-cure resins 3%; amino resins and phenolic resins 3%; nitrocellulose 2%; unsaturated polyester 2%; and others 12%. Figure 2 shows the global demand for adhesives and sealants sections by the chemicals used (total volume around 5 M tonnes) as follows: polyolefins 20%; natural raw materials 16%; acrylates 13%; polyurethane 9%; styrene copolymers 8%; other types of rubber 7%; formaldehyde resins 4%; silicones 4%; polychloroprene 2%; epoxy resins 2%; polysulfide 1%; other modified acrylates; and others 13%. Farbe und Lack, Oct 2010, 116 (10), 12,1415 (in German)
Microcapsules embedded in glide coating German company Carl Bechem GmbH in Hagen has launched a new type of glide coating, Berucoat MC, which encompasses the microencapsulation technology. The coating contains tiny spherical containers filled with lubricant, which can only be seen under the microscope, and which release the lubricant under pressure. The coating results in a lubricating film, which is dry to the touch. The new lubricating product is characterized by its long durability. The manufacturer
C OAT I N G S claims that Berucoat MC will last 3 times longer than currently available high performance glide coatings, which are based on the addition of solids. The new coating also gives good occupational safety, as flammable solvent fumes are unable to form as the microcapsules are embedded in the water-based coating. Farbe und Lack, Oct 2010, 116 (10), 42 (in German)
Bayer creates green shoe Germany company Bayer MaterialScience has developed a concept for a ‘green shoe’ dubbed Ecotrekker, which is made from a range of sustainable materials and processes including renewable polyurethane raw materials, raw materials for zerosolvent coatings and adhesives, and a polycarbonate blend and renewable-based thermoplastic polyurethane. The Ecotrekker concept shoe can have up to 90% of its components feature eco-friendly properties with use of Bayer MaterialScience’s products. The use of the coatings and adhesives alone would reduce global organic solvent emissions by around 150,000 tonnes. The prototype safety shoe’s top cap is made of PC and PLA blend from the Makroblend line. Ecotrekker’s heel counter, shoelace eyelets and the producer’s logo on the sole are based on Desmopan thermoplastic polyurethane products, which have high renewable raw material content. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 1 Oct 2010, 3
Avantium builds YXY pilot plant for green materials and fuels Avantium has announced that it has started the construction of a pilot plant at the Chemelot site in Geleen, The Netherlands. The pilot plant will produce YXY building blocks for making green materials and fuels. Avantium has developed a novel and proprietary catalytic process to convert DECEMBER 2010
MARKETS Market overview – Polyurethane: versatile applications and enormous development potential Polyurethane raw materials were first used in manufacture of paints and coatings over 50 years ago. Their variety and combinations enable targeted and tailored solutions for different segments. During the last decade the proportion of polyurethane coatings raw materials rose from around 9% to 13% of global consumption. Major components of the polyurethane coatings raw materials are polyisocyanates and polyols such as polyacrylates, polyester and polyether. Before the global economic crisis, analysts predicted a global rise in the consumption of polyurethane coatings raw materials of around 5%/y. In the Asia Pacific region consumption is forecast to rise by 10%/y, and the European and American markets are predicted to grow by around 3-4%/y. The article covers the following topics: polyurethane coatings primarily for applications on wood 6
ON
POWDER
and vehicles, the polyurethane market recovers, adhesives and sealants with long durability, the achievement of ecological and economic advantages, new technologies gain in importance, tapping sources from renewable raw materials, challenges by the regulating bodies, and new applications segments for polyurethane raw materials. Figure 1 illustrates the global coatings raw material consumption by product groups (totalling 8.2 M tonnes) as follows: alkyd resins and oil-free polyester 37%; solvent-containing polyurethanes 13%; powder coating resins 8%; water-based coating resins 8%; epoxy resins 7%; acrylic resins 5%; UV-cure resins 3%; amino resins and phenolic resins 3%; nitrocellulose 2%; unsaturated polyester 2%; and others 12%. Figure 2 shows the global demand for adhesives and sealants sections by the chemicals used (total volume around 5 M tonnes) as follows: polyolefins 20%; natural raw materials 16%; acrylates 13%; polyurethane 9%; styrene copolymers 8%; other types of rubber 7%; formaldehyde resins 4%; silicones 4%; polychloroprene 2%; epoxy resins 2%; polysulfide 1%; other modified acrylates; and others 13%. Farbe und Lack, Oct 2010, 116 (10), 12,1415 (in German)
Microcapsules embedded in glide coating German company Carl Bechem GmbH in Hagen has launched a new type of glide coating, Berucoat MC, which encompasses the microencapsulation technology. The coating contains tiny spherical containers filled with lubricant, which can only be seen under the microscope, and which release the lubricant under pressure. The coating results in a lubricating film, which is dry to the touch. The new lubricating product is characterized by its long durability. The manufacturer
C OAT I N G S claims that Berucoat MC will last 3 times longer than currently available high performance glide coatings, which are based on the addition of solids. The new coating also gives good occupational safety, as flammable solvent fumes are unable to form as the microcapsules are embedded in the water-based coating. Farbe und Lack, Oct 2010, 116 (10), 42 (in German)
Bayer creates green shoe Germany company Bayer MaterialScience has developed a concept for a ‘green shoe’ dubbed Ecotrekker, which is made from a range of sustainable materials and processes including renewable polyurethane raw materials, raw materials for zerosolvent coatings and adhesives, and a polycarbonate blend and renewable-based thermoplastic polyurethane. The Ecotrekker concept shoe can have up to 90% of its components feature eco-friendly properties with use of Bayer MaterialScience’s products. The use of the coatings and adhesives alone would reduce global organic solvent emissions by around 150,000 tonnes. The prototype safety shoe’s top cap is made of PC and PLA blend from the Makroblend line. Ecotrekker’s heel counter, shoelace eyelets and the producer’s logo on the sole are based on Desmopan thermoplastic polyurethane products, which have high renewable raw material content. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 1 Oct 2010, 3
Avantium builds YXY pilot plant for green materials and fuels Avantium has announced that it has started the construction of a pilot plant at the Chemelot site in Geleen, The Netherlands. The pilot plant will produce YXY building blocks for making green materials and fuels. Avantium has developed a novel and proprietary catalytic process to convert DECEMBER 2010